Successful transplant provided another decade of loving life

VANCOUVER, B.C., May 22, 2012 - Ron Bayne of Surrey wrote in about his experience at St. Paul's. FOR USE ONLY WITH ST. PAUL'S SERIES IN THE PROVINCE. NO OTHER USE PERMITTED
Credit: Submitted photoPhoto by

Imagine. Ten years have gone by since I received my new heart. Ten years since I received the “gift of life.” Ten years of being with my loved ones and sharing life with those who cared, and those who shared. Ten years of having a new purpose in life. Nine years of enjoying my granddaughter; without the “gift of life” I wouldn’t know the happiness she has bestowed upon me.

This is what new medicine, science, a caring medical staff, heads of cardiology and top surgeons have given me. Can you imagine a greater gift that one could receive? A second chance at life, a chance to give thanks, a chance to help others in their stages of pre-transplant and the anxieties that they go through. A chance to share my new life with other transplant patients who want to give back to mankind — kindness in appreciation of their new life.

I have walked the path and roadways of my new life, a path that has taught me to be grateful for what I have received. I know the future new transplant patients face in each new step they take. I know that each, with the right attitude, will experience a tremendous positive change, gaining a new outlook and a new appreciation for life, for their loved ones, for nature and for their new energy. They will have an opportunity to take responsibility for and completely change their lives, not just for their betterment but for the betterment of all, changing from a self-pitying, whining, “why me?” person to a grateful, appreciative person.

Recovery from a transplant is a process of side-effects caused by medicines, a process of learning that each new hiccup is not a downfall but part of the recovery process. We learn as we recover and get stronger to enjoy our new wholesome atmosphere of being alive and well. As we travel further down the road of recovery our new awareness is total justification for giving thanks to the donor family.

Remember your anxiety at being told you need a new organ if you are to survive. Remember your anxiousness when you received a pager and how excited you got when the pager would buzz on a weekly basis for test purposes. Each buzz made your heart beat faster, made you think, “Is this for real?” Each buzz gave you new hope. Remember when you were told that they have an organ for you, you were so anxious, so excited, so nervous that words could not come out of your mouth to share the news with others? Is there any greater anxiety?

Remember that your life was a roller coaster of emotions and distractions of one kind or another. Remember these things, but also remember they are yesterday’s newspaper and the news is now old.

Today’s news is happiness, security and awareness of a new enlightening experience. Walk your new road in life, with anticipation of comfort, inspiration and gratefulness.

I have walked the road for 10 years and I share with you the wonders of the trip. I’m forever grateful. I’m a recipient.

— Ten years ago, Ron Bayne and Peter Quinn founded the Heart Transplant Society, which operates two homes for low-income, out-of-town patients who have come to Vancouver for their surgery. To date, they have housed 128 patients. The society can be contacted at ronbayne@gmail.com (for Ron Bayne) or manaaska@telus.net (for Pat Baker).

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